Thursday, September 29, 2011

I am so happy! Mom ML had Mom Peggy from Peggy's Place to make me a Peggy Blankie and I received it this week! It's the most beautiful pink and white and soft blankie there ever was! She also included a toy and I had the best time bunny kicking it on my soft Peggy Blankie!

Just look how plush and thick it is. My little paws are covered up.

I really like to lie down on my Peggy Blankie and play with my pink mousie!

It's also fun to chew on my Peggy Blankie.

Thank you so much Mom ML for getting me my first Peggy Blankie and thank you Mom Peggy for doing such a beautiful job!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Mom Paula (and Auntie Deb) gave me the nickname "Trubble Truffle" before I came home to live with her. I don't know why she would do that . . .

I know my stinky goodness is in here somewhere and I'm not moving until I find it! I mean it!!!

Still waiting . . .

Mom Paula: I promise you that I watch out very carefully when I open the refrigerator! Truffle is just so darn fast! She can be in the other room and as soon as the fridge door is open, there she is. I always look down before shutting the door. You should see me trying to wash and dry clothes . . .

Monday, September 26, 2011

I know Mom Paula keeps my left over stinky goodness in here somewhere! I keep trying to get in here to find it whenever I hear the door open. You will notice there is a little more food in here than you saw a few days ago, but Mom Paula won't let me have any of it!

Recently, I discovered the door on the left side of the big white box. Brrrrrrrrr. It sure is cold when Mom Paula opens this door. I wonder if she is hiding my stinky goodness in here.

I'll let you know if I find any. Would someone please turn on some heat???

Mom Paula: Please note that no kitty was harmed in the taking of these pictures. Truffle is just so quick that she's in the fridge or freezer before I can even look down.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

I'm going to take it easy (even if it's just a few minutes) today and rest with Mom Paula. We've both had a long and challenging week, with my emergency vet visit and mom's cancer surgery.

Today is my sister-before-me, Sweet Praline's, birthday. She would have celebrated her sweet 16 birthday today. Angel Praline has been a guiding angel for me since I've come to live with Mom Paula and I know I still have big paws to fill, but she was a pretty special ladycat. Mom Paula has posted a memory post of Sweet Praline's Birthday Slumber party from 2009 where over 60 woofies and kitties helped Praline celebrate her birthday. We had a lot of memories, smiles, and tears as we revisited this special event in Praline's past. Happy Birthday, Sweet Praline!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Today's Photo Hunt theme is "yellow." We don't have too many things yellow in our house, but next month on October 2, the entire world and the CB will be celebrating LiveStrong in honor of those who've fought cancer and won and in memory of those who've lost the battle. As of this week, Mom Paula is now a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with a Squamous Cell Carcinoma (skin cancer) on her abdomen. The doctor believes they caught the cancer early and that all of the cancer cells were removed, but Mom Paula will need to be re-checked on a regular basis for future occurances.

Tomorrow, September 25, 2011 would have been Sweet Praline's 16th birthday. Mom Paula is going to have a memory post for her where you can revisit the Slumber Party Praline had for her 13th birthday. We'll provide a link on my post tomorrow, but we're going to re-post the Slumber Party on Sweet Praline's blog. Here's a graphic of Sweet Praline's "yellow" post with Mom Paula from the past. Sweet Praline had a Mast Cell Tumor in her spleen.

I also want to remember my sweet little brother, Beignet. We were together for a little over 11 weeks when he went to the Bridge because of a Vaccination Associated Sarcoma (VAS). I'll share more about this cancer on October 2.

I think the color "yellow" makes me both happy and sad because we celebrate those who've survived this dreaded disease, but we remember those we've lost.

The South Carolina Gamecocks (chickens) are at it again on the football field. They are playing the Vanderbilt Commodores tonight at 7:00 am EST. The game will be televised on ESPN2. Mom Paula brought me home this special bag from her favorite Gamecock clothing store and I thought the name was purrfect for me!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Mom Paula keeps pulling out a new toy from the package I received from Laila and Minchie. The other day, she pulled out a pink mousie and a pink pillow. I took to the pillow immediately (it has a crown on it) and have carried it all over the house. I hope you enjoy this little video of me having a good time with my pink pillow.

I hope everyone has a great Friday.

Pee ess: Mom Paula rescheduled my vet appointment to get my last kitten vaccination until next Friday since I had that emergency visit on Monday and Mom Paula had her cancer surgery yesterday.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Hello Everyone! Angel Praline told me about this wonderful place in Mom Paula's office where I could see Bird TV easily and it wasn't too tall for me. Mom Paula kept wondering why I rushed into her office when she opened the door, but when she turned around and saw me, she had tears (of happiness) in her eyes when she saw me looking out of the same window Praline would look out of all the time.

Pee ess - Mom Paula's surgery went well yesterday. The doctor thinks they caught the cancer in the early stages and thinks she was able to remove all of it. Mom Paula has to go back in 6 months. Thank you so much for all of your purrs and purrayers.

Pee pee ess - I'm requesting special purrs for a decision that Mom Paula has to make in a couple of weeks. I'll share more about that a little later.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I scared my mom Sunday night. I woke her up around 2:00 am gagging and wheezing. She checked my mouth and throat and couldn't find anything, but I did this all night. Mom Paula called the vet as soon as they opened Monday morning and they said to come in around 9:10 am. Mom Paula decided to give me a treat to see if I could eat and swallow. I chewed 2 treats and I've been fine since then!!! The vet lady said that my temperature was slightly elevated (+0.1 degrees) and that either I had the beginnings of an URI (although there are no symptoms) or that I had some hard food stuck the wrong way in my throat and chewing the treats dislodged it. See, treats are great for our health!!! Would make a great advertisement, wouldn't it?

Mom stayed home with me all day to watch over me. I liked having her home, but I don't recommend this particular method.

I don't think I like this red thing, though. Every time I get in it, someone in a white coat pokes and prods me! I go back to the vet on Friday for my final kitten vaccination.

Pee ess - Mom Paula had a biopsy last week for a skin lesion on her stomach. It came back as cancerous (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) and she goes back to the dermatologist Wednesday afternoon to have more tissue removed. Please keep her in your purrs and purrayers.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Mom said I could dress up today and participate in the "Meow Like a Pirate Day." This is so much fun. I'm still learning how to talk kitty talk, so I may be limited in my vocabulary, but don't you just love my outfit!

I also found out what my pirate name would be! I just love that I would be a "Captain".

My pirate name is:

Captain Grace Rackham

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Today's photo hunt theme is: Wooden. On my first day with mom Paula, she had posted my "Welcome Home, Truffle" sign on her wooden door.

I love playing on the wooden floors in the foyer and kitchen. Mom Paula gets a laugh when I go sliding when I'm chasing the laser light.

My newest piece of wooden furniture is in Mom Paula's office and I just love sitting on this little wooden table (just the right side for me) and watch Bird TV.

Which reminds me, the chickens (Gamecocks) are playing the Midshipmen (boats are wooden, aren't they?) Anyway, the SC Gamecocks play Navy today at 6:00 pm EST and can be seen on ESPN 2. Of course my mom is going and she expects me to stay here and not get into any trouble. Right?

Friday, September 16, 2011

Mom Paula realized a week ago that she had to get me an interactive toy because I was wearing her out in the early hours of the morning (1:00 am). After she left choir practice, the pet stores were closed, so she went to the 24-hour Walmart and found this toy. She thought it was similar to the toy I played with at Mom Terri's house. Little did she realize, the purple ball chirped like a bird! This sound will drive all of the beans crazy, but you kitties will love it.

Mom Paula merged a few videos together so you could see me playing with my favorite toy. She made a little mistake at the very beginning of the video when putting it together, so please ignore the message, "enter text here".

Your moms and dads may want to turn the sound down before starting the video. MOL

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I received my first package in the mail this week. It was addressed to Mom Paula, but when she opened it, everything was for me!!! The package was from Laila and Minchie(and Mom Peggy). I was so happy because this is the first present I've received in the mail.

Hurry up, Mom! There's something in here for me!

Fun! Fun! Fun! Pink tissue paper!

There were some wonderful presents in here for me (kitten Fancy Feast, coupons for stinky goodness, pink toys galore, . . .What else is in here for me mom?

A crown!!! Isn't it beautiful? I still don't have a lot of floof on my head yet, so this is the best picture Mom Paula could get so far! Every time she goes to take a picture, it would fall off and the last time, I walked away with it in my mouth. MOL!

Thanks Mom Peggy, Laila, and Minchie! I love everything and you, too!

Mom Paula: To respond to one of the comments yesterday - Yes, it's been a long time since I've had a kitten; almost 16 years, so it has been a long time. I've forgotten how exhausting they can be, but I love her to death!!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Note from Mom Paula: I've temporarily moved the cat tree away from the secretary desk. I think I'll breathe a little easier that way. I need to totally rearrange my front room to find a permanent place for it.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Mom Paula should have known better! She bought a kitty tree for me that is only 5 feet tall because she is a little shorter than 5 feet and she wanted to be able to reach me. She also put the tree in front of the window so I could look out. She also took down the drapes on this window so I wouldn't be tempted to climb them. This looks safe enough, huh?

So, like any good kitty would do, I began investigating the kitty tree. Notice the piece of furniture beside the tree. That's mom's "secretary desk" where the ashes of Sweet Praline and Beignet are kept. First, I jumped up and investigate the cave. It looked pretty interesting.

Then I jumped up to the top and took a moment to look at the Bird TV!

Wait a minute! What's that up there?

Mom Paula saw me looking up and said, "no way can you get up there!" I guess I proved her wrong! I'm the Queen of my domain!

Do you see how far I had to jump to get on top of the secretary desk? Mom Paula kept saying, "Persians don't jump!" She quickly ran to get her 3-step stool (after taking a quick picture) to get me down. I looked at her with a look that said, "what's your problem?" Mom Paula keeps debating on whether to move the kitty tree.

Mom Paula: Truffle scared me to death when she did this! I was concerned that she would fall off of the back or slide as she was trying to get down because of the slope of the top. I'm still debating on whether to move the tree or not!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I wasn't around 10 years ago, so I'm going to let Mom Paula talk today as we remember and honor those who lost their lives 10 years ago and those that are still fighting for our freedom and peace.

Mom Paula: Mimi asked that we all have a special "Remembrance Day" and share our stories of 9/11/01 and post a special Peace Globe today.

I've always been a very patriotic person and am the type to cry when I hear the National Anthem, God Bless America, or watch tributes to our veterans and troops. Ten years ago today, I was on my way to teach classes at the university where I was a college professor. I always liked listening to talk radio while driving in and they made a comment that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Centers. I remember thinking, "Wow!" and didn't think much more of it. I arrived in my office and was preparing for my first class when my phone rang and my mother said, "Both buildings of the World Trade Center have been hit." It wasn't but a few minutes later that she called me back and told me of the attack on The Pentagon and the crash of the fourth plane. Our Internet service at the university became overwhelmed and we couldn't get any information, but the university turned on the news on all of the TVs in the buildings and hallways and I joined students and faculty watching as the twin towers burned. I think everyone was in shock! It was when the towers started crumbling to the ground that tears began falling from my eyes and everyone's around me. We just couldn't take our eyes away from the TV, much less get any work done. We received an email from the university that we couldn't cancel classes, but we weren't to punish any student who didn't come to class. Needless to say, I met with my classes, but immediately dismissed them once they showed up. Who could teach when our country was being attacked by terrorists? I think everyone stayed glued to the TV that day and several days after that.

The next Thursday, I went out of state (on a plane) to the first televised college football game after 9/11 to watch South Carolina play Mississippi State. I remember the anxiety as I boarded the plan and passed through tight security at the football stadium. Prior to the game, all of the music on the loud speaker was patriotic music and when I heard Lee Greenwood sing, "God Bless the USA," my eyes filled with tears. I remember looking into the skies and thinking, "this would be the ideal place for another attack" and being nervous. Instead of the teams running onto the field to cheers and boos from separate locker rooms, both teams walked out on the field together in total silence and unfolded an American Flag that covered the entire field. I don't think there was a dry eye in the stadium.

Our lives have changed since that day. People aren't as trusting as they used to be and the economy has taken a major hit. I, however, will always be proud to be an American citizen of the United States and trust that we'll have peace again, even if that peace comes in Heaven.

Thank you to all of my friends and acquaintances in other countries who've shown their support to the United States during these trying times. May we always remember those innocent people who lost their lives on that day and those military personnel who've fought for and given their lives for our freedom and peace.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Mom told me since I'm living with her now that I must pull for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Angel Praline told me I could call them the "chickens." Mom Paula loves her Gamecocks, so since I love her, I guess I'll support the chickens.

Mom and Dad McRee and the kitties from Krasota Castle bought me my first present when Mom Paula met them at a recent cat show. Mom Paula was thrilled when they gave me this Gamecock bandana and she was determined she was going to get a picture of me in it.

Then I found out that the "chickens" were playing the woofies (Georgia Bulldogs), so I decided that I had to go in attack mode.

If you want to join me in fighting with the "chickens" against those "woofies" you can watch it live on ESPN at 4:30 pm EST if you live in the states. Off to watch the game . . .

Friday, September 9, 2011

Today is my first time participating in Mo Cats Day. What is Mo Cats Day you ask (I had to ask Mom Paula.) Well, back in 2009, someone said there were "too many cats on the internet!" Can you imagine? So The Cat Blogosphere came together to change NO CATS DAY to MO CATS DAY and decided to celebrate every 09/09. How?Just post to your own blog, whatever fills your heart and soul and imagination about CATS.

Yippee! I like this idea. I only have one problem though. I think we should celebrate cats EVERYDAY! MOL. So, in honor of MO CATS DAY, I think I'll play, play, and then play some more.

Here are a few of our favorite quotes about cats:

"Beware of people who dislike cats." - Irish Proverb

"Happy is the home with at least one cat." - Italian Proverb

"Dogs come when they're called. Cats take a message and get back to you." - Mary Bly

"I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love, of course." - Mark Twain

"Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." - Unknown